I have been watching a prog about these hand made planes selling for the hundred's of pounds.
Nice tools in various colours of metal.
You can use them straight from the box, or so they say........
They demonstrated end grain being planed on hard wood, and people at a show where they were demonstrating were astounded that this could be achieved
......but I can do the same with my Fathers old Stanley
is it realy necessary to pay so much????.

Hi woodentop, I don't know exactly which planes you are talking about but they are probably made by Lie Nielsen in America. Some of his planes are based on old designs from Stanley. So if you have an old plane in good condition and SHARP then it is possibly as good as one of his.

However if you are buying a new plane then those from the likes of Clifton and Lie Nielsen are in a different league to those now badged Stanley or Record.

Dewy, Lie Nielsen work straight out of the box, the Cliftons need to have a very thick coating of wax removed before use but that is all.

I was told the Clifton factory flooded and a lot of the stock was ruined; and that is why they all come waxed.

Both these makers produce absolutely fabulous tools and worth the cost, but £1600

I would like to see one, I bet it was on Sky

Thanks for the link John, these planes look incredible, but I suspect they will end up on a shelf.

Can't quite imagine using one and the ergonomics look suspect.

I agree Woodentop & Big  all
I got a record 2 1/2" smoother plane from the local car boot sale-flat, square, thick casting, no cracks, rosewood handles. It had been looked after apart from a bit of surface rust. Bargain at £7.00 I don't know if the bloke knew how much a new one would cost.
Once it was lapped a bit on emery and glass, then iron polished ground and honed it was restored.
I am constantly improving on sharpening technique and can get thin joined up shavings off of end grain with it.
A better iron would improve things even more.
I can't see the point of those swiss disposable planes
Mr Spanton

Dewy, remember I don't have Sky so I am out of the loop for this sort of thing. I have seen the web site and these planes do look fantastic but I do wonder who buys them? Probably collectors not woodworkers.